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Friday Forecast - Jan. 4

Friday, 01.04.2013 / 1:41 PM
Mike Doyle
- Manager of Digital Content

The Houston Aeros, the Minnesota Wild’s American Hockey League affiliate, look to continue its hot play of late, taking points in its last four contest, including three wins.

The Aeros have moved into sole possession of second place (17-10-2-3, 39 points) in the AHL’s South Division and have two games in hand against the division-leading Charlotte Checkers. The club will play three-in-three this weekend, all against interstate rivals.

The Aeros kickoff the long weekend by playing host to the Texas Stars (16-11-3-2, 37 points) tonight at 7:05 p.m. Houston has had the Stars’ number this season, owning a 4-1 record against the divisional opponent. In the season series, Mikael Granlund (3-4=7) and Jason Zucker (3-4=7) lead all scorers with seven points apiece. The Stars are in fourth place in the South Division.

On Sunday, Houston will hit the road to play the Stars. First, the Aeros will host the San Antonio Rampage at 7:05 p.m. Saturday. In five games against the Rampage, Houston is 3-1-1. San Antonio (13-17-0-4, 30 points) is in fifth place in the South Division.

Petersen Selected For All-Star Game; Solar Bears Hit The Road

Forward Nick Petersen has been selected to represent the Orlando Solar Bears at the 2013 ECHL All-Star Game in Loveland, Colorado, home of the Colorado Eagles. He becomes the first Solar Bear to be selected to the ECHL All-Star Game.

The Wakefield, Quebec, native has scored 26 points (12-14=26) in 22 games for Orlando this season. Petersen notched the first hat trick for the Solar Bears against the South Carolina Stingrays on October 25, and leads Orlando in goals, while being tied for first in points. He is currently on recall to the Aeros, where he has one goal and added one assist in six games.

The Solar Bears also have a tough weekend ahead, playing three games in three nights, all on the road against ECHL North Division squads. However, Orlando is streaking, winning its last three games and winning three of its last four.

Tonight, Orlando heads to Evansville to take on the Icemen. It marks the first meeting between the teams. The Icemen are in fifth place (11-20-0-3) in the ECHL’s North Division.

The Bears look to cook the Toledo Walleye on Saturday. It is the first meeting between the two teams. The Walleye are in second place (18-13-0-2) in the North Division.

With tired legs, Orlando will finish the weekend against a familiar opponent, the Fort Wayne Komets. In a three-game home set from Dec. 7-9, the Bears went 1-1-0-1 against the Komets. Fort Wayne is currently third (17-14-1-1) in the North.

NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks and NHL Mobile name and logo, NHL GameCenter and Unlimited NHL are trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams.